Going with the flow…while it lasts

The City of Bakersfield pledged to run some of its Kern River water down the normally dry river bed through town at least until July 30th this year.

While it lasts, the Kern River Parkway Foundation and Bring Back the Kern are hoping to draw attention to the difference a little water makes in the river bed by holding “Sunsets on the River” events at Yokuts Park each Thursday through the rest of the month.

The events, which start at 6:30 p.m. and run until sunset, are low-key with no need to register and no cost to families. Volunteers host rubber duck races, provide fly fishing demonstrations, talk about the natural flora and fauna in and around the river, and more. Water fights are encouraged.

Bring Back the Kern, along with Water Audit California, sued Bakersfield in 2022 seeking to have river operations studied under the Public Trust Doctrine, which requires water be used to the greatest public benefit, including for the environment and recreation. A portion of that lawsuit may be heard by the California Supreme Court in September, while the main lawsuit is scheduled to come back to court in February 2027.

In the meantime, Bring Back the Kern hopes to take full advantage of the temporarily flowing river.